The Utica College men's basketball team rallied from a seven point halftime deficit but fell just short, 61-60, against visiting Alfred University on Sunday. Utica senior forward Patrick Goodman netted a game-high 29 points and snagged nine rebounds, while Will Abrams added ten points, three rebounds and two steals.

Trailing by just one point with 1:35 to go in the contest - the Pioneers (6-10, 1-6 E8) were able to hold the Saxons (7-8, 1-6 E8) scoreless on four straight possessions but they shot 0-for-5 from the field on the offense end and the clock expired with the Pioneers losing 61-60.

In the first half, Alfred jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the first 6:34 of play after Ron Smith knocked down a 3-pointer at 13:26. Smith finished the day with 13 points. Utica answered with an 8-2 run to cut the Saxons lead to one point, 12-11, with ten minutes to go in the half.

The Saxons responded with a 7-1 run to regain a seven point lead with 8:31 to go in the half. Alfred was able to preserve that lead for the final eight minutes and entered the lock room with a 37-30 lead at halftime.

Utica opened the second half on a 9-0 run to take a two point lead, 39-37, 2:55 into the final 20 minutes of play. The next 4:31 featured three ties until the Saxons went on a 5-0 run to take a 52-47 lead with 11:21 to go in the game.

The Pioneers were able to regain the lead after a three point play by sophomore guard Evan Taylor gave Utica a 58-56 advantage with 3:48 to go in the game. On the next possession Smith knocked down a 3-pointer to give Alfred a one point lead. Goodman was able to give Utica the lead back with a layup with 1:52 to go in the game before a layup by Jared Patt gave the Saxons the lead for good with 1:35 to go.

Taylor finished the day with eight points off the bench for Utica, while Andrew Preston and James Patterson each added four points.

Patt scored a team-high 14 points for Alfred, while Mike Stopera added 11 points and three assists.

Utica returns to action on Friday when they host RIT in conference play at 8 p.m.

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